Daryl Bunn death: Man guilty of one-punch killing in Maldon

A man who launched an unprovoked attack on a husband-to-be has been convicted of his manslaughter.

Daryl Bunn, 27, was attacked in Maldon, Essex, after a meeting to discuss best man speeches at another friend's wedding.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Sonny Hazell, 25, knocked him to the ground with a single punch, inflicting a traumatic brain injury.

Hazell was found guilty of the 29 June 2019 killing after a trial.

Mr Bunn had met his friend and fellow best man earlier that afternoon before meeting up with another group at two pubs.

As the men made their way home they "became involved in an altercation" outside a branch of Iceland, the force said.

Mr Bunn hit his head on the ground, causing a traumatic brain injury.

He was airlifted to hospital in Cambridge where he died eight days later.

Det Ch Insp Lee Morton said: "The case shows that any act of violence can lead to someone being seriously injured and even killed.

"Daryl Bunn's death was needless and completely avoidable, and his family and fiancée have been left devastated.

"They have been in court throughout the trial and heard how Daryl did nothing to instigate or provoke the incident that led to him losing his life."

Mr Bunn's family previously said they had been left "totally heartbroken".

"Everyone who knew him would say what a lovely, beautiful soul he had inside and out, with a heart of gold, and he will be truly missed," they said in a statement.

Hazell and Jordan Hooper, 24, of Princes Avenue, Southminster were cleared of a grievous bodily harm charge in relation to Mr Bunn's friend, who suffered a broken jaw.

Hazell, of Waterside Road, Southminster, near Maldon, is due to be sentenced on 8 January.

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